Chapter 31

The butler nodded. “Miss Ming Shu returned shortly after you left and was immediately taken away by the old master.”

Su Nanzhi was silent for a moment.

Since the old master fell ill, the focus of the family had shifted entirely to him.

His condition worsened daily, with his memory gradually fading.

Even with today’s advanced medical technology, there was no cure—only symptom relief.

They had lived through difficult and chaotic times. The Mu family had a century-long legacy, and as the heir, he began studying ancient martial arts in childhood. Even nearing seventy, his health remained robust.

After handing over the family business to Mu Minghong, he continued learning many new skills.

With such a constitution, he shouldn’t have developed this illness.

Ultimately, it was the heavy blow from fifteen years ago that left him living in guilt and self-reproach.

Su Nanzhi sighed deeply.

She had hoped that finding her daughter would bring joy to the family and perhaps ease the old master’s troubled heart, maybe even improve his condition.

But fate was unkind.

The villa was well soundproofed; no piano music could be heard outside.

Su Nanzhi walked toward the side room.

The white grand piano bathed in moonlight, surrounded by a soft milky glow.

A gentle, elegant woman sat poised on the bench, radiating a silvery light. Her slender, delicate fingers moved across the keys like tender shoots, her voice calm as she patiently taught the elderly man beside her.

Only then did Su Nanzhi recall that twenty years ago, the old master had dreamed of learning piano alongside his daughter. But at that time, he was still leading the Mu Corporation and had no time.

After passing down his position, this gifted young lady of the Mu family had already achieved some success.

Unable to learn with his daughter then, the old master had set aside his obsession with the piano.

So why was he learning again today?

Hearing the noise, the refined woman turned her head. Seeing Su Nanzhi, she smiled warmly. “Sister-in-law.”

“Ming Shu,” Su Nanzhi greeted her, stepping inside. “Are you two learning piano?”

Mu Mingshu nodded. “I just got back today. Dad said he wanted to learn piano, so I started teaching him.”

Though she said this, Mingshu knew well that the piano lessons were mostly an excuse; she did most of the playing.

Since falling ill, the old master’s movements were strictly controlled; he barely left the house.

She had just returned from a world tour. Unable to attend in person earlier, she now played for her father again.

Watching the harmonious scene between father and daughter, Su Nanzhi felt uneasy.

She called Mingshu aside.

“Ming Shu, I need to talk to you about something.”

Seeing her expression, Mingshu frowned and turned to her father.

“Dad, you try playing for a bit. Ming Shu and I need to discuss something.”

Mu Bochuan, wearing gold-rimmed glasses that slid slightly down his nose, squinted as he studied the music sheet’s notes. He pointed carefully, mumbling something under his breath.

He was focused but paid no mind, waving his hand.

“Go ahead.”

Mingshu rose and followed Su Nanzhi out.

Once the glass door was closed, Su Nanzhi drew close, lowering her voice. “Have you told Dad about Xixi?”

Mingshu shook her head. “My older brother said to wait until our little niece returns before bringing her to Dad. He wanted it to be a surprise, so I haven’t said anything.”

Seeing Su Nanzhi’s tense expression, a bad feeling rose within her.

“Could something have happened to Xixi?”

Su Nanzhi nodded. “Though nothing serious, the eldest said Xixi has amnesia and might not be back for a while.”

Mingshu was stunned. She never expected things to develop like this and hurriedly asked, “What exactly happened?”

Su Nanzhi only knew pieces and shared everything she was aware of.

Listening, Mingshu’s tone grew indignant. “Mu Yiheng is usually reliable. How could he be so careless with his own sister?”

Su Nanzhi agreed inwardly but comforted her outwardly.

“It’s done now; there’s nothing we can do. Minghong has already contacted experts in the field—they should be able to help restore Xixi’s memory.”

Mingshu said, “But I’m still worried.”

Mu Yiheng was straightforward and didn’t understand girls at all.

The little niece didn’t even recognize her own family, and if he was in charge of her care, it might be misunderstood as having ulterior motives.

Now she’d accepted a stranger as her brother…

Speaking of Jin Yuchuan, though he seemed cold and indifferent, no one could be sure he harbored no ill intentions.

An idea struck Mingshu, and she grabbed Su Nanzhi’s hand firmly, her eyes resolute.

“Sister-in-law, let’s go to Jin City.”

“Ah…?” Su Nanzhi was taken aback.

Mingshu explained, “Given our niece’s condition, I can’t feel at ease. Mu Yiheng is so reckless; it’s better we go ourselves.”

Su Nanzhi had thought of this too, but…

“What about Dad if we leave?”

Mu Bochuan’s illness was unpredictable; he might suddenly try to leave.

“Just take him with us,” Mingshu said matter-of-factly, leaving Su Nanzhi momentarily speechless.

She continued, “Xixi has been missing for so long, and now this happens. Are you really comfortable leaving her alone in Jin City, with a man nearby who could harm her at any moment?”

“Well…” Su Nanzhi hesitated.

Of course, she didn’t want to.

But they couldn’t neglect the old master either.

The servants were unreliable; everything had to be personally overseen by her.

“Sister-in-law, don’t hesitate!” Mingshu urged earnestly. “Our Mu family owns property in Jin City. It’s just a matter of notifying them; living there is no different.”

“Besides, since Dad fell ill, you’ve been confining him indoors, not letting him out. How could he bear such repression? Getting out more and relaxing is good for his condition.”

In the end, Su Nanzhi was persuaded.

“Alright, I’ll inform Minghong.”

She went to make a call but was pulled back by Mingshu.

“Don’t ask my brother; he definitely won’t agree. We’ll just go ourselves.”

Having never left without permission in over twenty years of marriage, Su Nanzhi sighed softly.

“Fine. We’ll do it your way.”

Excited, Mingshu said, “I’ll tell Dad. You book the tickets.”

Before leaving, she comforted Su Nanzhi once more.

“Don’t worry. My brother is busy as a mule every day. By the time he finds out, we’ll already be in Jin City.”

Watching her walk away silently, Su Nanzhi remained speechless.

…

Mu Bochuan was especially excited at the prospect of traveling. Early in the morning, he had servants carry luggage downstairs and had carefully changed into casual clothes.

Su Nanzhi was surprised. She approached to help him down but was waved off.